Taximeter.



H. ARON & O. RUNGE.

TAXIMETER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.30, 1908.

Patented Feb. 22,1910.

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H. ARON & 0. RU'NGB.

TAXIMETER.

APPLIUATION FILED MAR. 30. 1908.

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TAXIMETEB.

APPLIUATION FILED MAR. so, 1908.

Patented Feb. 22, 1910.

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H. ARON & 0. RUNGE.

TAXIMETEB. APPLiOATIOH FILED MAR. 30. L908.

Patented Feb. 22,1910.

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MLtmaua H. ARON & 0. RUNGE.

TAXIMETEB. APPLIOATION TILED MAR. 30. 1905.

950,461. Patented Feb. 22,1910.

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H. ARON & O. RUNGE.

TAXIMETER.

APPLICATION nun) MAR. so. 1908,

- Patentd Feb. 22, 1910.

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H. ARON & 0. RUNGB.

TAXIMETER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30. 1908] 950,461. Patented Feb. 22, 1910.

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TAXIMETER. APPLIOATION' FILED MAR. a0. 1908.

Patented Feb. 22, 1910.

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Hi ARON s10. RUNGE.

. TAXIMETER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30, 1908.

950,461. Patented Feb.22, 1910.

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TAXIMETER.

APPLICATION FILED XAB. 30, 1908.

- Patented Feb; 22,.1910.,

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H. ARON &*0. RUNGE;

TAXIMB'IER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 30. 1908.

Patented Feb.22, 1910.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERMANN ARON AND OSKAR RUNGE, OF CHARLOTTENBURG, GERMANY; SAID RUNGEASSIGNOR TO SAID ARON.

TAXIMETER.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HERMANN ARON, Ph. 1)., electrician, and OSKARRUNGE, foreman, citizens of Germany, subjects of the King of Prussia andEmperor of Germany, both residing at Charlottenburg, near Berlin, in theKingdom of Prussia and Empire of Germany, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Taximeters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to taximeters of that kind in which theadjustment into the different conditions of service is effected by aspecial adjusting device and in which a flag sign is lowered whensetting the adjusting device into operative position. In taxiinetersheretofore known the flag sign and the adjusting shaft of the adjustingdevice have such a relation to each other that the fiag sign is eitherpositively lowered, when the taximeter is put into service by means ofthe adjusting device, or, owing to its being rigidly connected with theadjusting shaft, constitutes in itself a means for adjusting thetaximeter. v

The object of this invention is to provide a taximeter of this kind inwhich the flag sign is loosely mounted on the adjusting shaft of theadjusting device and is maintained upright in the free position,indicating that the cab is free for hire, against the action of a springor its preponderating weight by a locking device which is released whensetting the adjusting device into operative position. According to theinvention the flag sign is only put into connection with the adjustingshaft if the adjusting device is set into the so-called cash position.Thus in the present invention the flag sign is, on the one hand,automatically lowered on setting the taximeter into operation, and, onthe other hand, coupled to the adjusting shaft and positively raised onsetting the adjusting device to Cash.

Another obj ect of the invent-ion is to automatically lock the adjustingshaft after its coupling to the flag sign, that is to say in the ashposition. This is attained by a looking device which only releases theadjusting shaft, if the flag sign is raised into the free position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a taximeter in which theadding up drums or totalizing devices are so arranged in relation to thefare indicating and tariff Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 30, 1908.

Patented Feb. 22, 1910.

Serial No. 424,169.

indicating dials as to be always visible laterally of the car through asight opening in the side wall of the casing, which is preferablyarranged at right angles to the wall provided with the sight opening forexposing the fare indicating and the tariff indicating dials in front ofthe passenger. For this purpose, the totalizing indications arepreferably provided on drums, the shafts of which are mounted in one andthe same plane, one above the other and parallel to the adjusting shaftas well as to the shafts bearing the fare indicating and tariffindieating dials.

A further object of the invention is to provide a taximeter in which theregister wheels or drums of the adding-up mechanisms may be easily readfrom the side of the cab without being obliged to turn over or open thecasing of the taximeter, this object being obtained by arranging alldrums together with their mechanisms ointly at one and the same wall andlaterally in the taximeter casing so as to look to the outward side orto the interior of the cab.

The above and other objects, which will appear as the nature of thisinvention are accomplished by the arrangement, construc tion andcombination of parts, as hereinafter described and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which Figure l is a front view of the taXimeterwith its face partially removed, showing the counting or indicatingdials; Fig. 2 is a similar view with the face and the dials removed;Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with parts broken away and showingthe mechanism in a different position of its parts; Fig. 4t is asectional view corresponding to'line l-4 of Fig. 8; Fig. 5 is a viewfrom the rear side with the casing removed; Fig. 6 is a perspective viewof the taximeter showing the front wall; Fig. 7 is a similar viewshowing the rear wall of the taximeter; Fig. 8 is a top view with partsbroken away and other parts omitted for the sake of clearness; Fig. 9 isa detail front view of a square frame device for securing the differentpositions of the adjusting device; Figs. 10, 11 and 12 are detail frontviews of the means for locking the adjusting device; Figs. 10 11 and 12respectively, are similar views showing the parts in a differentposition; Figs. 10 11 and 12 are similar views showing the parts in athird position; Figs.

13 and 13 show in two different positions a device for preventing theflag sign from being raised; Figs. 141, 14 and 1 1 show a detail view ofa locking device for preventing the adjusting device from being turnedunless the flag sign has been lowered; Fig. 15 shows the shaft of theadditional fare indicating dial in plan view; Fig. 16 shows the unitdollar dial with its shaft in plan view; Fig. 17 is a detail sideelevation of the mechanism for transmitting the movement of both thechronometer and of the cyclometer independently of the countingmechanisms. Figs. 18, 19 and 20 are sectional views taken on the linesaa, bb, and 00 of Fig. 17 respectively, and viewed in the directions ofthe respective arrows; Fig. 21 shows the shaft of the said transmittingmechanism in detail; Fig. 22 is a detail front View show ing themechanism for resetting the counting or indicating dials to zero; Figs.23 and 2 1 show one of the adding-up mechanisms in side elevation andsectional View respectively, and Fig. 25 is a detail view of thecyclometer mechanism transmitting the move ment from the vehicle wheels.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 6 and 7 of the drawings, 86 isthe casing inclosing the whole taximeter mechanism and having a frontwall 8 provided with view openings 162, 163 and 1641 to permit the dialsshowing the service conditions of the taximeter, the fare and theadditional charge respectively to be read. Another view opening 167 isarranged to expose the drums of the adding-up mechanisms registering thetotals of the trips, of the fares and additional fees and of the milestraveled by the vehicle. This view opening is arranged in the side wall166 of the casing. From the back or the wall facing the driver thereprojects the hand wheel 171 of the adjusting device, the handle 160 forwinding up the clock work and the hand lever 172 for adjusting theadditional charge dial. 85 is a cap covering the means for connectingthe flexible shaft driven from the vehicle wheel to the cyclometermechanism and 169 are lugs for securing the taximeter casing to the cab,so as to have its side wall 166 looking to the outward side of the cabor to the rear side. This offers the advantage that when the ownerwishes to inspect his cab he needs only to step up to the same, where hecan easily read the totals of the fares collected and of the otherindications registered by the taximeter. By this arrangement thenecessity of turning over or opening the taximeter casing is avoided.Consequently. the cab may be controlled by the owner or any one else inan unnoticeable and quick manner. This arrangement is independent of thesystem of the meter itself, the difierent parts of the latter only areto be placed in such a manner that the addingup mechanims may be jointlylocated as described above.

The taximeter illustrated is capable of being operated by either a clockmechanism or by the travel of the cab to which it is attached and is soconstructed as to be operated by the one moving the faster, that is tosay: when the cab is standing or when moving at a slow speed, the clockwill operate the registers, and when the cab is moving at a higher speedthe cab will operate the registers through the medium of a cyclometerwhich may receive its impulse by means of a flexible shaft from a wheelof the cab. This flexible shaft (not shown in the drawings) engages ashort shaft 168 journaled at 174, see Fig. 25, in the lower part of thecasing and having secured to it a conical or bevel wheel 175 meshingwith a similar wheel 176 secured to a shaft 177 journaled together withthe other end of the shaft 168 in a bracket 178 fixed t0 the casing. Inalinement with shaft 177 there is a shaft 179 rotatably mounted in andextending between the main frame plates 181 and 1841. of the taximeterand having attached to it at its rear end two pins 188 engaging a slot27 provided in the hub 135 projecting inwardly from the wheel 176. Uponshaft 179 there is keyed or otherwise fixed a cam disk 182 adapted toengage a friction roller 186 mounted upon a lever 187 actuated by aspring 187, as may be seen in Fig. 5. This lever 187 is fixed to arocking shaft 29 journaled in the plates 181, 181 and projecting fromthe front plate 181, Fig. 2. Upon shaft 29 there is secured an arm 136which carries at its free end a spring-pawl 132 adapted to engage aratchet wheel 192 mounted 011 a shaft 193 journaled in the plates 181,184C.

92 is a lever pivoted at 93 to plate 181 and having its lower end 96normally held in engagement with the arm 136 by means of a spring 97engaging the other arm of said lever so as to force it toward a cam 95fixed to the adjusting shaft 1, hereinafter referred to moreparticularly. By the rotation of this shaft 1, the lever 92 may becaused to release the arm 136 and allow its being swung by the rockingshaft 29.

Shaft 193 has a pinion 19%. Figs. 1 and 18, secured to it which mesheswith a spur wheel 195 loosely mounted upon a shaft 196 extending throughan aperture 132 of plate 181 and journaled on this side in a bracket 198secured to said plate, Fig. 17. Adjacent to wheel 195 a sleeve 197 isfixed to shaft 196 by means of a key, Figs. 18. 19 and 21. A. secondsleeve 41 is secured to the opposite end of shaft 196 by means of atransverse pin 199. Between these two sleeves there is a third sleeve11. loosely slipped over shaft 196. This sleeve 14 has secured to it aspur wheel 42 and a disk 48, the former meshing with the gearing of theclock work or chronometer mechanism of the taximeter, while disk 43carries three spring-pawls 15 adapted to engage a ratchet wheel 46 fixedto sleeve 197. This sleeve has also secured to it a ratchet wheel 47adjacent to the spur wheel 195 which spur wheel supports three springpawls 48, adapted to engage said ratchet wheel 47.

The mechanism hereinbefore described has for its purpose to allow boththe driving from the cyclometer mechanism and that from the clock workto be independently transmitted to the counting and adding-up mechanismswhich now will be described. The motion for these mechanisms is takenfrom sleeve 41 this latter being provided for this purpose with astar-wheel 19 which is adapted to actuate an arm 50, Fig. 2, pivoted at51 to a lever 52 and being held by a spring attached to said lever inthe range of said star-wheel. Lever 52 forms one arm of a bell cranklever fixed to a rocking shaft 54; and actuated by a coil spring 69 oneend of which engages the free end of said arm 52, the other end beingsecured to the frame plate 1.81. The other arm 55 of said bell cranklever has pivoted adjacent to its free end a spring-pawl 56 adapted toengage a ratchet wheel 57, Fig. 3, fixed to a sleeve 58. This sleeve isloosely mounted on a pivot-pin 59 which projects from the front plate181 and is rigidly secured thereto. Upon sleeve 58 there is also fixedthe single-tooth wheel 60 and the dial 61, Figs. 1 and 2, for indicatingthe cents of the fare to be paid. lVheel 60 meshes with a wheel 62mounted on a pivot 63, and also mounted on said pivot 63 is a carryingdial 64: for indicating the dollar-units and a single-tooth wheel 65which latter meshes with a corresponding wheel 66 rotatable on pivot 67.\Vheel 66 is connected to a dial 68 indicating the tens of dollars. Aspring pawl 70 is pivoted at 71 to the plate 181, and engages the teethof the ratchet-wheel 57, and prevents it from being turned in thereverse direction. See Fig. 3. Pawl 70 has connected to it a finger 72adapted to be engaged by a roller 7 3 mounted on a bell-crank lever 74which is pivoted at 75 to the frame plate 181. Roller 73 is also adaptedto engage a cam 76, Figs. 3 and 22, when lever 74 is depressed, ashereinafter described, for the purpose of resetting to zero the fareindicating dial 61 connected to said cam. The other arm 77 of lever 7acarries a roller 78 adapted to engage a cam 79 rigidly connected to thewheels 62 and 65 and dial 6 1 of the fare indicating mechanism. Thebell-crank lever 7 1 has a finger 80 projecting from it, and

, provided with two pins 81 and 82. Pin 81 is in the range of pawl 56,Figs. 2 and 3, to enable it to release said pawl from engage ment withratchet-wheel 57 upon the finger 80 being raised, while pin 82 engagesthe arm 55 of bell-crank lever 52. Lever 7% will be operated by means ofan arm 83 secured thereto and projecting into the path of a frictionroller 84 mounted on a disk 1.1 of the shaft 1 of the tariff adjustingdevice, hereinafter to be described. Below the arm 77 of lever 74 thereis fixed to plate 181. a bracket 87, Figs. 16 and 22, having a plate 88connected thereto by means of a pin 89 on which it is revoluble. Thismay be etlected by means of the arm 77 which when swung over said plate181 will engage a friction face 90 provided on said plate and thus forcedown said plate against the action of a spring 91 which tends to raiseit. The free end of the plate 88 is recessed to form two side portionshaving inwardly projecting pins 291. These pins 291 engage an annulargroove formed in the sleeve 200 of dial 64-, see Fig. 16. Upon loweringsaid sleeve 200 by bringing arm 77 into engagement with plate 88 wheels62 and 65 maybe thrown out of gear with wheels 60 and 66 respectively,so as to allow the corresponding dials 68 and 61 respectively, to returnto their zero position. This may take place, as far as dial 68 isconcerned automatically by means of a spiral spring acting upon it whilethe dials 61 and 6 1 are reset through the medium of the cams 76 and 79respectively, as will be hereinafter described.

Referring again to the shaft 179 of the cyclometer mechanism, asrepresented in detail in Fig. 25, this shaft has secured to it a pinion296 see Fig. 1 meshing with toothed wheel 98 fixed to shaft 99 which ismounted between plates 181 and 184- similarly to shaft 179 and adjacentto it. Upon shaft 99 there is secured a disk 100 having an axiallyprojecting pin 101 adapted to engage an arm 102 of a double armed springactuated lever pivoted at- 103 to plate 181. The other arm 10% of thislever has a. spring pawl 1.05 pivoted to it which is adapted to engage aratchet wheel 106. By the medium of this ratchet wheel 106 motionimparted to the lowermost of the adding-up mechanisms situated adjacentthe side wall 166 of the taXimeter casing. This lowermost mechanism,Fig. 23, is for indicating the totals of the miles traveled by the cabto which the taximeter is attached. Above this mechanism there islocated a second mechanism 108 for adding-up the amounts of additionalcharges. This mechanism receives its motion from a rocking shaft 109,Fig. 5, mounted in a bracket .110 of the rear plate 181 and projectingon the outside of the rear wall of the taximeter casing, where it isprovided with the hand lever 172, Fig. 7. Upon the shaft 109 there isrigidly mounted a bell-crank lever 111, the lower arm of which haspivoted to it a spring actuated lever 112 as will be seen from &

Figs. 1 and A pin 113 carried by lever 112 projects through an aperture111 of plate 181, and is adapted to engage a ratchet wheel 115 of saidadditional fare register mechanism to operate this mechanism upon theshaft 109 being rocked by means of the hand lever 172. T0 the free endof the other arm 116 of bell-crank lever 111 there is attached at oneend a coil spring 117 the other end of which is fixed at 118 to plate181. This spring 117 tends to draw the arm 116 to the right to cause itto rest against a step 119. Adjacent to the point of attachment ofspring 117 there is pivoted to arm 116 a pawl 120 having a pin 121 whichproject-s through a hole 122 provided in plate 181 and engages a ratchetwheel 123 secured to the shaft 125 of the additional fare indicatingdevice, Figs. 1 and 15. Shaft 125 is mounted in the plates 181 and 181and projects on the outside of the latter, where it has secured to itthe additional fare indicating dial 126. Rigidly mounted upon shaft 125adjacent to ratchet wheel 123 is a second ratchet wheel 121 adapted tobe engaged by a pawl 127 forming one arm of a spring actuated bell-cranklever pivoted at 128 to plate 181. The other arm 129 of this lever isheld in engagement with a pin 130 projecting through a hole 131 in plate181 and fixed to the finger 31, Fig. 5, of a lever 131. This lever 131is secured to a rocking shaft 133 extending between and mounted in theplates 181 and 181 and projects beyond the front side of plate 181, Fig.2 where an arm 28 is secured to it and is provided with a pin 30 at itsfree end, which pin is adapted to engage the cam disk 11 of adjustingshaft 1 above referred to. The left hand arm 137 of the lever 131 seeFig. 5 has a coil spring 138 attached at one end to its free end, andthe other end of said spring is fixed to plate 181 and said spring tendsto force down said arm. The arm 137 has also pivoted to it at 139 aspring pawl 110 which is provided with a pin 111 projecting through ahole 112 in plate 181 and engaging a ratchet wheel 11 of the uppermostadding-up mechanism 111, Fig. 1, serving to register the totals of tripsmade by the cab which has the taximeter attached to it.

A mechanism 115 is shown for adding up the fares indicated by thetaximeter. It will be actuated by means of a spring pawl 116, Fig. 5,pivoted at 117 to arm 118 and having a pin 119 at its free end, said pinengaging a ratchet wheel 150 of said adding-up mechanism. Arm 118 ispivoted at 151 to the plate 181 and is under the influence of a spring152 which tends to force it out of engagement with the teeth of ratchetwheel 150. Mounted on the rocking shaft 51, above referred to, isrigidly mounted an arm 153 adapted to engage the arm I 118 to impart aswinging motion to it when the shaft 51 is rocked through the medium oflever 52, arm 53 and star wheel 19, Figs. 2, 5 and 17, from shaft 196which will be driven either by the cyclometer mechanism or by theclock-work or chronometer mechanism as described above. This clockworkor chronometer mechanism is located on the left hand side of thetaximetcr between the plates 181 and 181, Fig. 1, and being of a wellknown construction need not be described in detail. The balance 151 ofthis clock-work is adapted to be engaged by a curved tongue 156 fixed toa lever 155 which is pivoted at 157 to plate 181 and has a projectingarm 158 adapted to engage pins 159 secured to the square frame of theadj usting shaft 1 hereinbefore described.

The device for adjusting and indicating the different tariff positions,the cash position and the free or out of service position will now bedescribed.

Referring particularly to Fig. 8 of the drawings, the adjusting shaft 1extends transversely across the taximetcr casing 86. On one end of thisshaft 1 the tariff indicating dial 161 is mounted and on the oppositeend the hand wheel 171 for operating the adjusting device. Keyed toshaft 1 or otherwise rigidly connected thereto is a disk 3 which has apart of its periphery formed with a series of teeth 1 and with notches 5and 5, see Figs. 11, 11 and 11". 6 and 7 are spring actuated pawlsengaging the periphery of disk 3, the former being pivoted at 11 to alocking disk 13 secured to a sleeve 12 loosely mounted upon shaft 1adjacent to the hand wheel 171. This sleeve has also fixed to it theflag sign 170. Adjacent, to the disk 3 a cam disk 8 is rigidly securedto the adjusting shaft 1 and adjacent to this cam disk there is fixed asquare frame 9 in the corners of which rollers 10 are provided. Outsideof plate 181 the cam disks 11 and 95 are secured to the shaft 1 asalready mentioned herebefore. The locking disk 13 see Figs. 10, 10* and10" has several notches in its periphery, for a purpose hereinafterdescribed. Against the periphery of locking disk 13 rests under theaction of a spring the pawl 15 which will engage a notch 35 of saiddisl', when the taximetcr is set for Out-of-service. Between the camdisk 8 and the frame 9, which are suitably made as parts of one hubfitted on shaft 1, there is provided an annular part or collar 17 seeFigs. 11, 11 and 11" the periphery of which has a stop 18. A stoppingpawl 19 pivoted at 20 to the plates 181 and 181 is held by a spring inengagement with the periphery of the collar 17, said stopping pawlhaving a finger-shaped extension 21. An arm see Figs. 2, and 9 pivotedto the plates 181 and 181 is pressed by means of a spring 22 against therollers 10 in the corners of frame 9, thereby causing the adjustingshaft 1 to positively remain in one of its four positions correspondingwith the four sides of frame 9. Locking disk 13 may be engaged by a hook24, as illustrated in Figs. 13 and 13*, said hook being pivotallymounted at 25 to plate 184, Figs. 4 and 5, and being normally held by aspring 26 within the range of lockin disk 13. The pivotally mounted hook24 is adapted to be disengaged by means of the cam wheel 11, which whenbeing turned by means of shaft 1 will cause the arm 28 to rock owing toits pin 30 being released by said cam. In consequence finger 31 fixed tothe same shaft 133 as arm 28 will be raised by a spring 138, Fig. 5,thereby forcing the lower tail end of the pivotally mounted hook 24 soas to hold the latter out of engagement with disk 13. ()n the otherhand, when the cam surface of disk 11 engages pin 30 of arm 28 it willcause the latter to release the said end of hook 24 and thus allow it tomove under the influence of spring 26 into the range of looking disk 13.Over sleeve 12 is slipped a coil spring 32, one end of which being fixedto the disk 13, the other end being attached to the casing or to theplate 86. This spring is so arranged as to constantly tend to lower theflag staff 170 which is rigidly connected by means of sleeve 12 to saidlocking disk 13.

The operation of the taximeter is as follows: WVhen the taximeter is putin free or out-of-service position the flag or sign will stand upvertically in known manner and thus the spring 22 will be tight, seeFig. 2 and Figs. 10 to 12. The flag sign is prevented from turning overby the pawl 15 engaging notch 16 of locking disk 13 as shown inv Fig. 10and thus preventing the latter from being turned. At the same time arm94, Fig. 2, isforced by its spring 97 against that part of the peripheryof cam 95 having the smaller radius, the other arm 92 thus being able toengage arm 136 fixed to rocking shaft 29 and preventing it from beingdrawn back by the spring 187 Fig. attached to arm 187 secured also toshaft 29. In consequence roller 186 of arm 187 is held out of engagementwith cam 182 so that transmission of motion from the cyclometer shaft179 to ratchet wheel 192 and in consequence to shaft 196 is cut off andmotion is imparted neither to the count ing or indicating mechanism norto the fare register, both of which depend on that shaft. In the sameposition of the adjusting device one of the pins 159 of square frame 9,Figs. 4 and 9, will have raised arm 158 thus forcing the spring 156attached to the opposite arm to engage the balance 154 of thechronometer mechanism and to stop it, so as to prevent motion from beingtransmitted also from this mechanism to the counting or indicatingmechanism and to the fare registering mechanism. That is to say, thetaximeter is stopped. Now, when hand wheel 171 is turned around an angleof 90 for adjusting the tariff 1, disk 3, cam wheel 8, collar 18, squareframe 9 with corner-rolls 10 and cam 11 will follow this motion. At thesame time pawl 15 will be disengaged from the notch 16 by means of a proection of cam wheel 8 striking against pin 33 of pawl 15 thus forcingthe latter aside. Now the tension of spring 32 comes into action withthe effect, aided by the weight of the flag, of forcing the latter down,whereby it will be indicated in a known manner that the cab is on duty.During the beginning of the turn of hand-wheel 171 pawl 7 will engageteeth 4 on the periphery of disk 3 Fig. 11 so as to prevent shaft 1 frombeing reversed after the turning motion has commenced. By the stoppingpawl 19 see Figs. 14 to 14 with its finger-shaped upper extension 21 thehand-wheel 171 will be prevented from completing its one-fourth turnunless the flag sign is lowered. When shaft 1 is rotated and moves thecollar 17, the stop 18 will strike against the edge of stopping pawl 19sliding on collar 17 and thus prevent a further rotation. If, however,the flag turns over, it carries with it the locking disk 13, to which isfitted, as described above and illustrated in Figs. 10 to 11 the pin 14serving as a pivot for the locking pawl 6, the latter carrying a pin'34projecting from the side of it. This pin will move under thefinger-shaped projection 21 of stopping pawl 19 upon the locking disk 13being turned. Thereby the stopping pawl 19 will be raised so that itslower edge will be released from stop 18 and thus the onequarter turn ofthe adjusting device can be completed, Fig. 14 This one-quarter turnwill also cause the cam 95 to engage lever 94, Fig. 3, so as to push itbackward against the tension of its spring. In consequence the oppositearm 92 is moved back from arm 136 thus allowing the latter to beactuated by the cyclometer mechanism above described and to impartmotion to the indieating or counting dials 61, 64, 68 and to the fareregister or adding-up mechanism 145 through the medium of ratchetwheel192, Fig. 2, shaft 193, pinion 194, wheel 195, shaft 196, star-wheel 49,Fig. 17, rocking arm 50, bell-crank lever 52, Fig. 3, pawl 56,ratchet-wheel 57, shaft 59 and rocking shaft 54, arm 153, Fig. 5, arm148, pawl 146 and ratchet-wheel 150 respectively. At the same time pin159 of square frame 9 will allow the lever 158 to fall down, therebydisengaging the balance 154 and thus starting the chronometer mechanismor clock-work. In consequence motion nowmay also be transmitted from thelatter to the fare counting and adding-up mechanism through the mediumof the gearing of the clock-work, toothed wheel 244, Fig. 4t, pinion 12,sleeve 14, Figs. 17, 1S and 19, disk 13, pawls 15, ratchet-wheel -16,shaft 196 and so on in the manner as described above. The one-quarterturn of the adjusting shaft will be followed by the square frame 9rigidly connected to it against the tension of spring 22 which pressesthe arm 23 against the rollers 10 of said frame. After completion of theone-quarter turn the bar orarm 23 will rest against the next side offrame 9.

In the position of the adjusting shaft as described just now thehand-wheel 171 is prevented from being turned back by a projection ofcam wheel 8 engaging pin 33 on pawl 15, Fig. 12. Also the flag-sign cannot be moved back or be turned up for, as shown in Fig. 10, the pawl 15will again engage a notch 35 provided in the locking disk 13 whereby areturn is prevented. Even if the flag should not have been entirelyturned down its being turned up is impossible, for on the beginning ofthe down-motion of the flag the cam wheel 11 will release the pin 30 ofbar 28, whereby finger 31 is moved away from the pivotally mounted hook2 1, the latter being allowed to return into the range of the peripheryof locking disk 13 under the action of spring 26. The notch 36 providedin the periphery of this disk 13 now will prevent the lowered flagsignfrom being turned up again by its being engaged by said hook 21f. Aftercompletion of the one-quarter turn the flag-sign will assume thehorizontal position and the various parts of the adjusting device willbe in the positions shown in Figs. 3, 10 11 and 12. If now the handwheelis further turned through an angle of 90 the square frame 9 with itsrollers 10 will also move a quarter of a turn until bar 23 rests againstthe next pair of rollers. By this further rotation the tariff indicatingdial 161, Figs. 1 and 8, fitted on the front end of the adjusting shaft1 opposite to the hand-wheel will be adjusted to tariff 2. In thisposition it is locked only by the spring 22 which presses the bar 23against square frame 9. In consequence the handwheel 171 can also beturned back through an angle of 90, this being an absolutely necessarycondition as the driver will often be obliged to change the taximeterfrom tariff 2 to tariff 1 when the number of persons using the cab willchange. Upon turning the adjusting shaft 1 into this position thatprojection of cam 95 having the lar er radius will engage lever 9% thusdrawing the opposite arm 92 of this lever still farther back from therocking arm so as to allow the latter to make a larger back stroke underthe action of the spring 187, Fig. 5, after the roller 1S6 having beendisengaged by the cam 182 of the cyclometer mechanism. In this positionof the adjusting device therefore, a more pro motive drive will beimparted to ratchetwheel 192 and in consequence to the fare counting orindicating mechanism and to the fare adding-up mechanism. Thus the ratioof transmission between those mechanisms and their drive will be changedaccording to the tariff 2 of the taximeter now being adjusted. When oncompleting the trip the driver wishes to adjust the taxinr eter to cash,the hand-wheel 171 will again be turned through an angle of 90. Duringthis motion the following opera tions will take place: As describedabove. the disk 3 will always follow the motion of the adjustingshaft 1. After the first half of this one-quarter turn of said shaft hasbeen completed the locking pawl 6 under the influence of its spring willengage the notch of said disk 3 which thereby is locked by means oflocking pawl (3 and its pin 34.- to locking disk 13 which is loose onshaft 1 and rigidly connected on its turn to the flagsign. hen therotation of the hand-wheel 171 is continued the flag will follow suchmotion so that after completion of the latter it will be at an angle of45", Fig. the pawl simultaneously being lifted out of the notch by thesecond projection of cam wheel 8 see Figs. 10, 11 and 12 In thisposition the motion of the hand-wheel 171 will be limited by the pawl Inormally pressed by its spring against the periphery of the disk 3 andnow engaging the notch 5 of this disk. The return motion of shaft 1 andin consequence a readjustment of the taximeter from cash position intoeither of the other positions is impossible owing to the pawls G and 7locking the disk 3. Upon setting the taximeter to Cash the projection ofthe cam 95 will be disengaged from lever arm 91 to allow the latter tobe pressed by its spring 97 against the recessed part of the said camthus causing the opposite arm 92 to engage arm 136 and to stop itsbackward movement. Motion therefore will not be longer transmitted tothe fare indicating and adding-up mechanisms from the cyclometermechanism. Also the clockwork is put out of service by the second ofpins 159 of frame 9 engaging lever 158 see Fig. 1 and thus stopping thebalance 15-1 through the medium of the curved tongue 156 secured to theopposite end of said lever 158.

hen the driver *ants to adj listthe taxim eter again into out-of-serviceor free position he must seize the staff 170 of the flag-sign and turnit up. Owing to the clearance left in notch 5 it will be possible toturn up the staff 170 as well as the locking disk 13 and locking pawl 6connected therewith. During this initial movement of the locking disk 13the pawl 7 is simultaneously disengaged from notch 5*. This is effectedby the nose 37 of locking disk 13 striking against a pin 38 projectingfrom the side of the head end of pawl 7 and thereby forcing the latterout of the notch 5 The handwheel 17 and the shaft 1 now will follow theupward motion of the flag-sign and on completion of the movement therear part 39 of locking pawl 6 will strike against a stop 40, wherebythe other end of said pawl is lifted out of the notch 5. At the sametime the pawl 15 will again engage the notch 16 of locking disk 13thereby preventing a return motion of the latter. The adjusting devicenow will be again in its initial or free position shown in Figs. 2, 1,10, 11 and 12. In this position the roller 8% mounted on disk or cam 11,Fig. 2, will have again forced outward arm 83 of lever 74 thus causingthe arm 77 of this lever to move above the friction face 90, Figs. 3 and16, of part 88 which thereby is forced down against the action of spring91. By the downward movement of part 88 sleeve 200 supporting the gearwheels (32 and 5 and dial 64 of the fare indicating device will beshifted down its pivot 63 by means of the pins 291 engaging a groove ofsaid sleeve. Said gear wheels now coming out of engagement with those ofthe neighboring dials 61 and 68 respectively the latter is allowed toreturn into its zero position under the influence of a spiral springacting upon it. At the same time the dials G1 and 6% will automaticallybe reset to zero by means of the friction rollers76 and 78 respectivelyengaging the cams 76 and 79 respectively of said dials upon the lever 7&being rocked into the position, Fig. 22, corresponding to the freeposition of the taximeter. The trip counting or adding'up mechanism 144,Fig. 4, is actuated upon each starting of the taximeter by means of thearm 28, Fig. 2, the pin 30 of which in the free position resting on thecam 11 and being freed from it upon the adjusting shaft being turned tothe tariff 1 position. Then spring 138, Fig. 5, attached to the arm 137secured to the rocking shaft 133 of lever arm 28 will be allowed toforce down said arm 137 and thus driving the ratchetwheel 143 of theuppermost adding-up mechanism by means of the pawl. 140 engaging saidratchet-wheel. The spindles of all adding-up mechanisms 106, 115, 1 15and 143 are prevented from back motion by spring pawls engaging theratchet-wheels of said mechanisms.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our saidinvention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declarethat what we claim is:

1. In a taximeter, a cyclometer mechanism, counting or indicatingmechanisms engaging said cyclometer mechanism, a tariff indicatingdevice showing different tariff positions, a cash position and a freeposition, an adjusting device for adjusting said tariff indicatingdevice, a fla sign indicating by its position the free, cash and tariffpositions of said tariff indicating device and being loosely mounted onand actuated by said adjusting device, means for automatically loweringsaid flag sign in dependency on the setting of said adjusting deviceinto operative posi tion and means'for positively coupling the flag signto the adjusting device when adjusting the latter to cash position.

2. In a taximeter, a cyclometer mechanism, counting or indicatingmechanism en gaging said cyclometer mechanism, a tariff indicatingdevice showing different tariff positions, a cash position and a freeposition, an adjusting device for adjusting said tariff indicatingdevice, a flag sign indicating by its position the free, cash and tariffpositions of said tariff indicating device and being loosely mounted onand actuated by said adjusting device, means for automatically loweringsaid flag sign in dependency on the setting of said adjusting deviceinto operative position, means for positively coupling the flag sign tothe adjusting device when aljust-ing the latter to cash position andmeans for automatically locking said adjusting device when set to thecash position and coupled to the flag sign, said means being releasedwhen raising the flag sign into the free position.

3. In a taximeter, a cyclometer mechanism, counting or indicatingmechanisms engaging said cyclometer mechanism, a tariff indicatingdevice showing different tariff positions, a cash position and a freeposition, an adjusting device for adj ustiug said tariff indicatingdevice, a flag sign indicating by its position the free, cash and tariffpositions of said tariff indicating device and being loosely mounted onand actuated by said adjusting device, means for automatically loweringsaid flag sign in dependency on the setting of said adjusting deviceinto operative position, said means comprising a sleeve fixed to saidflag sign, and having secured to it one end of a spring the other end ofwhich being fixed to the frame and means for positively coupling theflag sign to the adjusting device when adjusting the latter to cashposition.

4. In a taximeter, a cyclometer mechanism. counting or indicatingmechanisms engaging said cyclometer mechanism, a tariff indicat ingdevice showing different tariff positions, a cash position and a freeposition, an adjusting device for adjusting said tariff indicatingdevice, a flag sign indicating by its position the free. cash and tariffpositions of ering said flag sign in dependency on the setting of saidadjusting device into operative position, said means comprising a sleevefixed to said flag sign and revoluble on the adjusting shaft, a coilspring surrounding said sleeve and being secured with the one end to theframe and with the other to the sleeve. said spring tending to lowersaid flag sign and a locking device for locking said flag sign normallyin its raised position and being releasable by said adjusting devicewhen setting the latter.

5. In a taximeter, a cyclometer mechanism, counting or indicatingmechanisms engaging said cyclometer mechanism a taritf indicating deviceshowing different tariff positions, a cash position and a free position,an adjusting device for adjusting said tariff indicating device, a flagsign indicating by its position the free, cash and tariff positions ofsaid tariff indicating device and being loosely mounted on and actuatedby said adjusting device, said adjusting device having a shaft, a handwheel and a disk on said shaft, a recess in the periphery of said disk,a pawl adapted to engage said recess and a nose secured to said flagsign and being in the range of said pawl so as to cause the release ofsaid pawl when the flag sign is being raised.

(3. In a taximeter, a cyclometer mechanism. counting or indicatingmechanisms engaging said cyclometer mechanism, a tariff indicatingdevice showing different tariff positions, a cash position and a freeposition, an adjusting device for adjusting said taritl' indicatingdevice, a flag sign indicating by its position the free, cash and tariffpositions of said tari'tl' indicating device and being loosely mountedon and actuated by said adjusting device, said adjusting device having ashaft, a hand wheel and a disk on said shaft, a recess in the peripheryof said disk, a pawl adapted to engage said recess, a nose secured tosaid flag sign and being in the range of said pawl so as to cause therelease of said pawl when the flag sign is be ing raised, means forautomatically lowering said flag sign in dependency 011 the setting ofsaid adjusting device into operative position, said means comprising asleeve fixed to said flag sign, and having secured to it one end of aspring the other end of which being fixed to the frame, said springtending to lower said flag sign and a locking device for locking saidflag sign normally in its raised position and being releasable by saidadjusting device when setting the latter.

7. In a taximeter, a cyclometer mechanism, counting or indicatingmechanisms engaging said cyclometer mechanism, a tariff indicatingdevice showing different tariff positions, a cash position and a freeposition, an adjusting device for adjusting said tariff indicatingdevice, a flag sign indicating by its position the free, cash and tariffpositions of said tarifii' indicating device and being loosely mountedon and actuated by said adjusting device, said adjusting device havingan adjust-ing shaft, :1 hand wheel and a disk fixed to said adjustingshaft, two recesses in the periphery of said dish, a locking pawladapted to engage one of said recesses, means for automatically loweringsaid flag sign in dependency on the setting of said adjusting deviceinto operative posi tion, said means comprising a sleeve fixed to saidflag sign and revoluble on the adjusting shaft, a coil springsurrounding said sleeve and being secured with the one end to the frameand with the other to the sleeve, said spring tending to lower said flagsign and a locking device for locking said flag sign normally in itsraised position and be ing releasable by said adjusting device whensetting the latter and a locking disk on said sleeve having pivoted toit a locking pawl adapted to engage the other one of said recesses inthe disk on said adjusting shaft so as to couple said adjusting deviceto said flag sign.

8. In a taximeter, a cyclometer mechanism, counting or indicatingmechanisms engaging said cyclometer mechanism, a tariff indicatingdevice showing different tariff positions, a cash position and a freeposition, an adjusting device for adjusting said tarifl' indicatingdevice, a flag sign indicating by its positi on the free, cash andtariff positions of said tariff indicating device and being looselymounted on and actuated by said adjusting device, said adjusting devicehaving an adjusting shaft, a hand wheel, and a collar fixed on saidshaft. :1 stop on said collar, a pivotally mounted stopping pawl beingin the range of said stop so as to normally prevent said adjustingdevice to be turned and means to raise said stopping pawl out ofengagement with said stop, said means being actuated by said flag signwhen falling down.

9. In a taximeter, a cyclometer mechanism, counting or indicatingmechanisms engaging said cyclometer mechanism, a tariff indicat ingdevice showing different tariff positions, a cash position and a freeposition, an adjusting device for adjusting said tariff indicatingdevice, a flag sign indicating by its position the free, cash and tariffpositions of said tariff indicating device and being loosely mounted onand actuated by said adjusting device, said adjusting device having anadjusting shaft, a hand wheel and a collar fixed on said shaft, a stopon said collar, a pivotally mounted stopping pawl being in the range ofsaid stop so as to normally prevent said adjusting device to be turned,a finger on said stopping pawl, means for automatically lowering saidflag sign in dependency on the setting of said adjusting device intooperative position, said means

